
Cardrona
Ski 615 hectares across six basins in New Zealand's Southern Alps, with world-class terrain parks and runs from 1,260–1,860m.
Cardrona is New Zealand's largest ski area, spanning 615 hectares of lift-accessed terrain across six basins in the Southern Alps between Wānaka and Queenstown. The ski field rises from 1,260m to 1,860m with 600m of vertical drop and 38 marked runs split across a broad ability range — 25% beginner, 25% intermediate, 30% advanced and 20% expert.
A major terrain expansion in 2025 opened Soho Basin, adding 150 hectares of intermediate and advanced terrain serviced by a new high-speed six-person chairlift. The resort also hosts the Southern Hemisphere's most extensive freestyle facilities, with four terrain parks, two halfpipes — including a 22-foot Olympic Superpipe — and a gravity cross course.
Cardrona is the training base for the New Zealand Park & Pipe Team and has produced multiple Winter Olympic and X Games medallists. Beyond the parks, the terrain ranges from wide-open groomers ideal for families and learners through to the chutes and cliff drops of Arcadia for experienced riders.
The resort's high elevation and predominantly south-facing aspect deliver some of the driest, most reliable snow in the region, and a combined lift pass with sister resort Treble Cone — acquired by parent company RealNZ in 2020 — gives access to a combined 850+ hectares of terrain across two distinct mountains.
Cardrona spreads 44 runs across 988 acres skiable of terrain. It leans advanced at 30%, with 11 beginner runs to find your feet and 22 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Cardrona operates from mid-June through to early October, with the 2026 season running from 13 June to 11 October. Average annual snowfall is 2.9 metres, supplemented by snowmaking on key trails across Main Basin and, from 2026, in the expanded Soho Basin zone.
The resort's high elevation and south-facing orientation — the Southern Hemisphere equivalent of north-facing slopes in Europe — help preserve snow quality through the season, with the driest and most consistent conditions typically falling between late July and August.
September and early October bring spring skiing with smaller crowds and softer afternoon snow, particularly on the sun-exposed faces. The season window positions Cardrona as a prime counter-seasonal destination for Northern Hemisphere skiers chasing midyear snow, with the resort regularly drawing international visitors from Australia, Asia and beyond.
School holiday periods in July can see higher demand across the mountain, though the 2025 Soho Basin expansion has materially increased capacity and spread skier traffic across a broader area.
Cardrona sits high in New Zealand's Southern Alps on the Crown Range between Wānaka and Queenstown, in the Southern Lakes district of the South Island. The resort is a 35-minute drive from Wānaka and approximately 60 minutes from Queenstown, with the approach from Queenstown crossing the Crown Range road — one of New Zealand's highest sealed roads and a spectacularly scenic alpine drive.
The final 10km to the resort follows a gravel access road to the base area at 1,670m. Daily shuttle services operate from both Queenstown and Wānaka to the mountain, and chains may be required on the access road during heavy snowfall.
Queenstown Airport is the nearest commercial gateway, 53km to the south, with direct flights from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Wānaka Airport sits 44km away with regional connections.
At the base of the access road, the historic Cardrona Hotel — one of New Zealand's oldest and most photographed pubs — provides a natural après stop on the drive home. Accommodation in Wānaka and Queenstown offers a wide range of options, and the resort itself has 15 on-mountain apartments for those wanting slope-side access.
Hotels and lodges near Cardrona, powered by Stay22.

Tremblant has confirmed a major expansion of its Quebec ski area, with a new Timber Summit sector adding 62 acres of terrain, eight trails and a high-speed quad chairlift for winter 2027/28. It's part of a CAD 42.5 million investment that also includes a new beginner learning zone at Versant Soleil opening this coming season. The project has grown considerably since it was first announced back in 2020, when it carried a far smaller budget and an opening date that never eventuated.

We knew when the Bird Bath Pond Skim showed up on Hotham's Instagram that the season was on its way out. It's been a rough one - I only managed two days on snow all year, at Falls Creek - and now Baw Baw, Selwyn and Hotham have all called it, possibly the worst Australian season I've seen in a decade. Hotham's last day of lift operations is Sunday, 6 September, with a Retro Day, Father's Day après and closing sales before the lifts stop turning for good.

Thredbo Alpine Resort has confirmed plans to replace its 37-year-old Gunbarrel quad chairlift with a new six-seat Doppelmayr D-Line, targeting winter 2028. The AUD 35 million project will keep travel time roughly the same but lift capacity from 2,800 to 3,000 skiers per hour. It's part of a broader investment push that also includes doubled snowmaking capacity at Friday Flat for 2027, with the ageing Kosciuszko Express now flagged as the resort's next major lift replacement after Gunbarrel.

An aerial tram carrying around fifty passengers struck the boom of a construction crane on the route to Pic Blanc at Alpe d'Huez on Wednesday morning, injuring 23 people, three seriously. The cabin tipped on impact before the operator reversed it to right the car. Most of the injured were treated on site, with five taken to hospital in Grenoble, including a pregnant woman assessed as a precaution.

A deadly flood on the Nepal-China border, a decade-old tragedy on Italy's Marmolada, and an unstable glacier right now above a village near Zermatt - three very different mountain ranges, the same underlying story. Warming ice is destabilising terrain that was considered settled for generations, and the results range from catastrophic floods to slow-motion monitoring situations that could go either way.

Tyrol's highest ski area is gearing up to open a full month ahead of most of the Alps. The Pitztal Glacier is scheduled to start its 2026/27 season on Saturday 26 September, running through to 2 May 2027, with the lower-altitude Rifflsee area following in December. High-altitude terrain up to 3,440 metres gives the glacier a head start on snow, though as always, the actual opening extent will depend on how September's weather plays out. Early online ski pass bookings can save up to 30%.

A hanging glacier above the Swiss village of Randa, just south of Zermatt, has been shedding large chunks of ice for weeks, with authorities warning more break-offs are likely. A danger zone has been closed off since June, though officials say the village's 479 residents aren't at risk. It's a familiar pattern for this glacier - it's done this before, in 1819, 1972 and 1973 - but a reminder of how closely Alpine authorities now watch terrain once considered stable.

Thredbo is officially 'on the table.' EVT Limited, owner of Australia's most decorated ski resort, has hired Rothschild & Co to review its entire corporate structure - and confirmed Thredbo isn't off limits, even as it books a stronger year of earnings. The resort's own valuation has nearly halved after a brutal 2026 season, and speculation is already running toward Vail Resorts, Alterra, or a New Zealand operator picking it up. Here's what EVT actually said, and who could buy it.
Cardrona is currently open for the 2026 season through Oct 11, 2026. Lift tickets are available for daily and multi-day visits.
Day passes start from NZ$60, with peak rates up to NZ$160.
Experience Cardrona's diverse terrain with full mountain access to New Zealand's biggest ski resort. This adult daily pass provides access to 615 hectares of varied terrain including wide groomed runs, terrain parks, and the famous Chondola gondola-chairlift hybrid. Perfect for exploring Cardrona's family-friendly slopes just 1 hour from Queenstown and 45 minutes from Wanaka.
Buy passChild lift pass for Cardrona Alpine Resort, New Zealand's most family-friendly ski field. Children aged 6-17 enjoy discounted access to Cardrona's excellent learning terrain, kids' facilities, and progressive ski programs. The resort features dedicated children's areas and comprehensive ski school programs.
Buy passFree lift access for children 5 years and under at Cardrona Alpine Resort. Young children ski free with paying adult, providing excellent value for families visiting New Zealand's premier family ski destination. Includes access to all beginner slopes and family facilities.
Buy passComplimentary lift access for seniors 75 years and over at Cardrona Alpine Resort. Free skiing with proof of age, allowing senior guests to enjoy Cardrona's gentle slopes and spectacular mountain views without cost.
Buy passFlexible 2-day lift pass for Cardrona and Treble Cone ski areas. This multi-day pass allows access to both mountains, providing variety across 850 hectares of combined terrain. Use within 21 days of first activation, perfect for exploring different mountain experiences during your Wanaka ski holiday.
Buy passValue 3-day lift pass providing access to both Cardrona and Treble Cone. Enjoy the flexibility to ski different mountains each day or return to your favorite. Pass includes access to Cardrona's terrain parks and Treble Cone's legendary off-piste terrain. Must be used within 21 days of first use.
Buy passExtended 4-day pass for Cardrona and Treble Cone ski areas, offering excellent value for longer stays. Experience the best of both worlds - Cardrona's family-friendly terrain and world-class parks, plus Treble Cone's challenging alpine terrain and stunning Lake Wanaka views.
Buy passWeek-long access to Cardrona and Treble Cone with significant daily savings. Perfect for extended Wanaka ski holidays, offering ultimate flexibility to ski based on conditions and preference. Includes access to all terrain, lifts, and facilities at both mountains.
Buy passUnlimited season access to both Cardrona and Treble Cone ski areas. The ultimate pass for serious skiers and snowboarders, providing access to 850 hectares of diverse terrain from June through October. Includes priority benefits, partner discounts, and flexibility to ski any day of the season.
Buy passMore Cardrona intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.